wipers with a mind of their own!!

[crazycats]

Right, now that I've said hello, time for some help!!!

Over the many hundreds of miles I've covered during the last few days, my cars wipers have decided to switch themselves on whenever I turn the wheel past 90 degrees, eg roundabouts and junctions, parking etc. It seems that when I turn right, they go on to intermittent, and left, they either go to normal or fast speed, depending on the mood they're in at the time!!

Any ideas? I've had a look through prevoius threads, and it seems that the ribbon cable crops up quite often, could this be the nasty little culprit I ask myself? My local dealer says, sorry mate, you'll have to book it in!! Yeah cheers then, as I'm quite useful with a spanner and any other large metal object, I'm loathed to pay them loads of cash to sort it, when you lot are the fount of all knowledge!!!!

Any pointers would be great.

[VYT]

The wires from the 4 buttons are routed toward the steering wheel hub where they connect to a Ribbon cable. The ribbon cable has no strain relief and evetually the tracks break. As you turn the wheel the tracks can make and break again so causing a false signal to get back to the control box. It is possible that the wires from the button are shorting onto the steering wheel but then I would think that the problem could occur in any wheel position. Anyway, you can remove the steering wheel from the column to access the ribbon and check it out. My car did something quite similar a month back and I was able to cut back the ribbon and recrimp a new connector so it is as good as new now, probably better because I added some strain relief. Just remember if you are going to do that then you must disconnect the ribbon at the connector on the back side of the steering wheel housing as there are 12V, 5V and Ground connection to the ribbon. You don't want to short the 12V and 5V Connections together. The ribbon is 10 way but only 5 were used on mine. 4 live for the buttons and a common ground.

Hope this helps

Bob

[crazycats]

Thanks for the advice Bob, I'll check it out at the weekend, and let you know how I get on.

Paul

[VYT]

Paul

See TVR-FREAK for a "manual" on the Cerbera, It has input from various sources and explains the removal of the steering wheel, not that it is difficult. I see you are not far away, I have the crimpers and the connector to repair the ribbon if that is what is at fault. If you can get the car here I would be happy to oblige.

Bob

[crazycats]

Bob,

Sorted....I removed the wheel and found a small nick in one of the cables, wrapped some insulation around it, refitted everything and it works perfectly.....no more scraping wipers acrross a dry windscreen!!!!!!!

Thanks for your help, its appreciated

paul

[VYT]

Paul

Good, glad it was nothing more.

Bob

[cheese99]

I've got the same problem! Took the steering wheel off, cleaned cable, no damage whatsoever, put the wheel back on and the blxxdy wipers are still coming on when I turn the steering wheel! Help!

[crazycats]

Nick,

YHM

[cheese99]

2 hours frustration! Took the wheel off via the allen nuts, checked every cable, all ok. Had to splice into the horn and main beam cables and extend, all ok, wrapped insulating tape round all metal connectors in the hub. Put wheel back on and....the wipers still come on when I turn right! Any idea where else the problem might be?

cheers
Nick

>> Edited by cheese99 on Thursday 2nd October 12:08

[VYT]

The problem might be in the ribbon cable that is housed within the hub of the steering wheel.

If you look behind the steering wheel instrument binacle there is a ribbon connector that takes the signals from the buttons to the various control boxes. If you disconnect that then none of the steering wheel buttons should do anything and the wipers should not move when you turn the steering wheel.

That being the case then the fault must almost certainly be in the ribbon that is housed within the steering wheel hub, as you have checked the wires from the buttons. Need to remove the wheel and hub to check it out.

Be careful when you check the ribbon as there are 5V & 12V signals and ground on it, you don't want to put 12V into the 5V line.

If memory serves the steering wheel buttons take the signal to ground. So in your case I would think that the wiper or wash / wipe signal is shorting to ground as the steering wheel rotates. If it is just one sweek then its the wash / wipe.

If the problem doesn't go away when you disconnect the ribbon connector on the back of the instrument binacle then the short is occurring elsewhere but most likely in the steering column area.

[cheese99]

VYT,

Took the wheel off completely. Ribbon cable looks fine. Checked it, cleaned it and all ok. I'll take the wheel off again and disconnect the cable and see what happens. Absolute bxgger to refit though and last time the cable fell out into my lap!

thanks

[cheese99]

VYT
Look like the wipe switch only.

[VYT]

Been there......

Buttons can be sourced from RS, (without the transfer of course).


Bob

[cheese99]

VYT,

Are you suggesting that I take off the whole steering binacle, i.e. the thing that houses the clock and fuel guage?